LPG cylinder found on Kanpur-Prayagraj rail tracks, suspected sabotage attempt uncovered

PTC News Desk: On Sunday morning, a potentially dangerous incident was averted on the Kanpur-Prayagraj railway route when the loco-pilot of a goods train applied emergency brakes after spotting a gas cylinder on the tracks near Prempur station. The train, en route from Kanpur to Prayagraj, halted safely at approximately 5:50 am. Railway police quickly responded to the scene, removing the cylinder and launching an investigation into the incident.

According to the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, "A goods train traveling from Kanpur towards Prayagraj was stopped using the emergency brakes after the driver spotted a gas cylinder lying on the tracks at Prempur Station. Railway Inspector of Works (IOW), security teams, and other officials examined the cylinder and subsequently removed it from the tracks. Upon inspection, it was determined that the 5-litre cylinder was empty. Investigations into the matter have been initiated."

This incident follows a close call earlier this month when the Prayagraj-Bhiwani Kalindi Express narrowly avoided disaster after colliding with an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks. Senior railway officials reported that the cylinder was intentionally placed to derail the train.

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Upon receiving the alarm, they rushed to the site, launched an investigation, and called in a forensics team to analyse the situation. The loco pilot had applied the emergency brakes after seeing the object, but the train struck the cylinder before coming to a stop; fortunately, the impact moved the cylinder away from the tracks.

Additionally, a Molotov cocktail was discovered during the investigation of that earlier incident, heightening concerns about potential sabotage.

This series of events comes on the heels of another alarming incident on August 17, when 22 coaches of the Varanasi-Ahmedabad Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur after the train's engine hit what the loco pilot described as a boulder.

Moreover, just last week, a six-meter-long iron rod was found on the tracks between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur city, leading railway authorities to suspect sabotage. The loco pilot of that train also engaged the emergency brakes upon spotting the rod, successfully clearing the track before any harm could occur.

These incidents underscore ongoing safety concerns regarding railway operations in the region and the potential threats posed by intentional acts of sabotage. The investigations aim to identify the culprits behind these dangerous actions and enhance safety protocols on the railways.

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